The Sergio Ramos syndrome

'How does one stop Sergio Ramos?' is the question on Athletic Club coach Ernesto Valverde's mind, and several ex-LaLiga footballers and current coaches joined MARCA to discuss what teams can do to attempt to avoid the seemingly inevitable:

LUIS GARCÍA PLAZA

"He's very brave. He has great decision-making, a lot of faith and natural talent. And then he has Toni Kroos, who is a genius at set pieces. To try to counteract this, one has to take extreme precaution, especially in the final minutes, and even then it isn't easy. Ideally, you'd man-mark him and have another player aware to help out in defensive cover if Ramos is able to overcome his man. That forces you to take a risk because you are paying less attention to other Real Madrid specialists, but in those moments you know they are looking for Sergio [Ramos]."

PABLO ALFARO

"He's difficult to cover. First, because of Kroos' precision. And second, because of his determination and faith with which he attacks the box. He always forces you to question whether you should mark him individually or zonally, mixed... he knows where the ball is going and has that faith and bravery to go where it goes. It is true that his goals are normally in the second half, when fatigue and individual marking isn't as good down to that fatigue."

DE LA RED

"He has tremendous power and you have to be very attentive with him because he is a masterful at heading and getting open. His marker must make it uncomfortable for him to start his run. Besides that, there should be two defenders keeping an eye out for any blocks so they can follow Ramos if the first defender finds an obstacle in his way."

JUAN CARLOS GARRIDO

"The goals are a result of a good set-piece taker (Kroos) and a good finisher (Ramos). To stop this is type of talent is harder than it looks. I don't see a magical formula, what I see is a 1v1, plus another player waiting for him in the zones where he could expect to finish. He requires a special type of coverage because of his great anticipation."

MONO MONTOYA

"He attacks the space and the ball, generally with a diagonal run, which means he gets into good situations to head the ball. He is strong and guides his headers very well. Then he can count on Kroos on Modric who cross the ball phenomenally well: precision, direction, and the right height so he can get strength on it. To stop him, there are to ways: zonally, to occupy the spaces to avoid the ball from getting to him, or individually."

MIGUEL ÁNGEL PORTUGAL

"Sergio has a gift, but just as important is who crosses the ball. I've always liked having a player nine metres from the corner who, at the very least, can get in the way of the cross. In the box, a mixed marking system, paired with an individual coverage of their best players (zonal for the rest). But when defending zonally, there must be a willingness to attack the ball if it comes your way."

MAQUEDA

"He is very good in the air, not just his anticipation, but also to read when to time his jump before his opponent. You can try to counterbalance with an individual marker and another opponent to offer defensive help in front, just in case he anticipates the play well and that way he'll be well defended."

IVÁN PÉREZ

He is not unstoppable, but what happens is that it is difficult to defend him because he is allowed to start his run and he is very powerful once in the air and allowed to jump. For me, the best way to defend him is: don't stand still, follow the ball's trajectory, and attack it yourself to defend him and be able to clear it."